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Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!mcvax!tnosel!hvt
From: hvt@tnosel.UUCP (henq)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: friendly version numbering scheme wanted for Mac system files
Message-ID: <485@tnosel.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 24-Oct-87 10:28:09 EST
Article-I.D.: tnosel.485
Posted: Sat Oct 24 10:28:09 1987
Date-Received: Mon, 26-Oct-87 01:32:32 EST
Lines: 45

Apple,


One of the least friendly things of maintaining your Mac is keeping up
with the correct system files. Every time a friend asks 
'do you already have <filename> <version nr> ? '
or,
'WHAT?, do you STILL work with <filename> <version nr>?'
I get nervous because the mental load for keeping up is just to heavy
for me.

Quote mister Tesler:

* System Tools 1 with Multifinder 1.0, Finder 6.0, and System 4.2
* System Tools 2 with LaserWriter 5.0 and the necessary background printing
  software (the ImageWriter driver is still version 2.6)
  * Utilities 1 with HD SC Setup (1.5), Disk First Aid (1.3), ...
  * Utilities 2 with Font/DA Mover (3.6) & Apple File Exchange (1.0.1)

Unquote mister Tesler.


My own proposal is to give all files the same version number for every
release. So the next round we will get Finder 7, System 7, Laserwriter 7
and so forth. Even if a file, say the Laserwriter driver, is not altered
it gets a new number. In the Info box things can be explained for the curious
minds: 'This Laserwriter driver version 7 is exactly the same as the previous
versions 5 and 6'.

This numbering scheme is in sync with what most people do if new system
software hits the streets: copy all the files to your system folder.

Note, that I also propose to get away from computerese numbering schemes 
that give us 1.0.1 type of version numbers. Just like the PostScript ROMs
straight integers are used.


How a about it ?

-henk


Have a nice day

:-)